Gus, alas, lost out to establishment figure Bill Beaumont in the political infighting when the chairmanship was last voted on, although we live in hope he will stand again next time round. While acknowledging the role of the old superpower nations, he invariably champions the middling and smaller nations and I can see why he wants an extended World Cup but I am not convinced it's the way forward, at least not in the short and medium term.
Rugby is not football or indeed the only other truly world sport, basketball where, on any given day, there are probably 60 top national teams who can beat each other in a competitive game. This week Latvia beat the USA in a FIBA World Championship pool game and reigning champions Spain were eliminated after defeats against Latvia and Canada. Who would have thought?
In rugby though the reality is there remains a considerable gap, as we are likely to see over the coming weeks and I don't see how increasing the number of minnows to the tournament helps anybody.
I am assuming the format would be four groups of six followed by three knockout rounds for the group winners and runners up in which case it also runs the danger of extending an already overlong tournament.
Denne historien er fra September 10, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra September 10, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Cunningham-South gunning for Boks
CHANDLER Cunningham-South is aiming to be a big hit against the Springboks on Saturday after adding New Zealand to his highlights reel.
Baxter backing Slade to adapt to changes
EXETER are confident that the decision to change their defensive system will not jeopardise Henry Slade's place in the England side.
Dallaglio: It will take brains to beat Boks
LAWRENCE Dallaglio has warned England they need brains and not just brawn to beat world champions South Africa at Twickenham next weekend.
Leaking 42 points at home is 'unforgivable'
DEFLATED Jamie George declared his side were not up to scratch after they slumped to another dismal defeat at England headquarters.
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
